Umesh Yadav has been ruled out of the ongoing test series against Australia. Image: BCCI

Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India was dealt a blow ahead of the remaining two test matches against Australia as experienced pacer Umesh Yadav has been ruled out due to an injury. Umesh picked up the injury during the third day of the Boxing Day test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. He was seen limping off the field, without taking any more action in the match. The fast bowler from Vidarbha will be taking a flight back home.

T Natarajan, who is in Australia with the team, has been added to the test squad.  Shardul Thakur too is also in Australia with the team at the moment. The final call will be taken by the team management as to who replace Umesh in the playing XI for the third test match at Sydney which starts from January 07. The medium pacer from Mumbai slightly has an edge over Natarajan having played 62 first class games so far and has 206 wickets to show for his efforts. He has also hit six first class half centuries.

India is already missing the services of seasoned fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma and Umesh’s injury added salt to the wounds. Only Jasprit Bumrah is the only first-choice seamer left for India in the squad with the likes of Mohammed Siraj making his debut in the Melbourne Test.